GB2391200A

GB2391200A - Inkjet recording apparatus and ink cartridge

Info

Publication number: GB2391200A
Application number: GB0314056A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kazumasa Harada; Kazuhiro Hashii; Atsuhiko Takeuchi
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2002-06-17
Filing date: 2003-06-17
Publication date: 2004-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-17
Also published as: EP1375159B1; NZ536956A; FR2841177B1; MY147213A; AU2003204751B2; EP1375159B8; HK1060333A1; GB2406544B; JP2004074773A; DK1375159T3; RU2006122351A; KR20040099206A; RU2415753C1; GB0424553D0; EP1685966A1; KR100973382B1; SG111112A1; ES2264506T3; SI1375159T1; RU2378123C2

Abstract

There is disclosed an ink cartridge capable of being removably held in an ink cartridge accommodation portion simply by pushing in the cartridge in an insertion direction. The ink cartridge (5) is mounted on a carriage (4) having a cartridge accommodation region. A one-push type fixing meter (30) in a position facing a surface parallel to an insertion direction in which the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge accommodation region is engaged with a fixing protrusion (12a) forming another one-push type fixing member and cooperating with the first-mentioned one-push type fixing member, so that the cartridge (5) is held in a predetermined position in a state in which the cartridge is resiliently urged by a spring (24) in a direction opposite to the insertion direction.

Description

( INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS AND INK CARTRIDGE

BACKGROUND OF THE INJECT I ON

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an inkjet recording-

apparatus fitted with a recording head for ej acting droplets 5 of ink onto recording medium in response to a print signal andalsotoaninkcartridgeusedinthis inkjet recording apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

An inkjet recording apparatus has a recording head for ejecting droplets of ink. This head is mounted on a carriage 10 that reciprocates relative to a recording medium. The recording apparatus currently available is so designed that ink its supplied to the recording head from an ink cartridge via an ink channel such as a tube or that ink is supplied to the recording head via an ink supply needle formed on the carriage where an ink 15 cartridge is mounted,....

Either of these types employs an arrangement in which an ink leading-out member, such as the ink supply needle, of the main body side is inserted into or connected to an ink supply port of the ink cartridge, and therefore the ink cartridge and 20 the ink leading-out member must be reliably connected and fixed to each other 50 as to avoid an unintentional disconnection therebetween. To this end, it is necessary to provide a member - 1 -

for fixing theink cartridge to the cartridge accommodationportion in the related art.

The arrangement using the aforementioned fixing member, however' requires two operations, i.e. mounting an ink supply 5 port of the ink cartridge to a coupling member formed at an end of the ink supply path, and thereafter fixing the cartridge by the fixing member. Consequently, the sequence of operations for mounting is cumbersome to perform. Further, the fixing means is required to make the structure complicated.

10 SUY OF THE IN3IENTIQN

In fries of these problems, the present invention has been made. It is an obj eat of the present invention to provide an inkjet recording apparatus permitting an inkjet cartridge to be fixed to tan ink cartridge accommodation portion simply by 15 pushing-i the ink cartridge in the mounting direction.

. It is another obj act of the invention to provide an ink cartridge adapted for the recording apparatus described above.

To solve these problems, an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention as claimed in claim 1 is so 20 designed that ink is supplied to a recording head from an ink cartridge mounted in a cartridge accommodation region. The ink cartridge has a first member constituting.a one-push type fixing member that is formed on the ink cartridge. The inkjet recording apparatus has a second member that constitutes another one-push 25 type fixing member cooperating with the first member and that - 2

is formed in a position facing a plane substantially parallel to an insertion direction in which the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge accommodation region, whereby the cartridge is held in a predetermined position in a state in which the ink S cartridge is resiliently urged by resiliently urging member in a direction opposite to the insertion.

The inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention asclaimedin claim 3is designed so that the resiliently urging means includes a spring that biases a valve body loaded 10 in an ink supply port.

The inkj et recording apparatus according to the present invention as claimed in claim 5 is designed so that a position of the hording portion or a diameter of the protrusion is selected to define a clearance between a dead point at pushing-in of the 15 ink cartridge and the predetermined position..

Aninbcartridgeaccordingtothepresentinvention as claimed in claim 6 has an ink storing portion storing ink-therein and an ink supply port communicating with the ink storing portion, andis adapted to removablymountedonacartridgemountingportion 20 of a recording apparatus to supply the ink in the ink storing portion via the ink supply port to a recording head provided on the recording apparatus. The ink cartridge includes: a first member that constitutes a one-push type fixing member, that is formed on a plane substantiallyparallel to an insertion direction 25 in which the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge raounting - 3 -

( portion, and that cooperates with a second member constituting another one-push type fixing mender of the recording apparatus.

The ink cartridge according to the present invention as claimed in claim 7 is designed so that the second member includes 5 a protrusion whose range of motion is restricted, and the first member includes a combination of a guide path for guiding. the protrusion in one direction, and a holding portion engaging the protrusion. The ink cartridge according to the present invention as 10 claimed in claim 10 is designed so that the resiliently urging means includes a spring that biases a valve member loaded in the ink supply port.

The ink cartridge according to the present invention as claimed in claim 12 is designed so that the first member is disposed IS on a wall surface intersecting a wall surface-on which the ink supply port is disposed, and located at a position offset toward the wall surface on which the ink supply port is disposed.

The ink cartridge according to the pre sent invention as.

claimed in claim 13 is designed so that the ink supply port is 20 located at a position offset toward the wall surface on which the first member is disposed.

The ink cartridge according to the present indirection as claimed in claim 14 is designed so that the protrusion whose range of motion is restricted is movable in a pl ane direction 25 of the plane substantially parallel to the insertion direction, - 4

( and also movable in a direction intersecting the plane.

The ink cartridge according to the present invention as claimed in claim IS is designed so that the holding portion of the first member is resiliently held by the protrusion by an 5 urging force of resiliently urging means.

The ink cartridge according to the present invention as claimed in claim 16 is designed so that a position of the holding portion or a diameter of the protrusion is selected to define a clearance between a deed point at pushing-in of theink cartridge 10 and the predetermined position According to the present invention as claimed in claim 1 (claim 6), when the cartridge is mounted,.the ink cartridge is pushed-in against the resiliently urging means, so that the cartridge is held in the predetermined position by the action IS of the one-push type fixing members and the biasing force of The resiliently urging means. When the ink cartridge As detached,-

the ink cartridge-is pushed-in against the biasing force. This disengages the.one-push type fixing members, and therefore the ink.cartridge is moved in the removing direction opposite.to 20 the insertion direction, by the biasing force. -

Therefore, when the cartridge is installed, the ink cartridge can be held into a predetermined position simply by pushing in.

the cartridge against resilient means. Furthermore, the ink cartridge can be disengaged by pushing it in against the biasing 25 force,so that the cartridge can be movedin the removing direction - 5

by the biasing force. Moreover, fixing means such as a cover member for fixing the cartridge to the cartridge accommodation region can be dispensed with, and further the ink cartridge can be easily taken out.

5 According to the present invention as claimed in claim 3 (claim 10), a simplified structure can be realized because an additional member, i e. a spring, for biasing the ink cartridge is unnecessary.

According to the present invention as claimed in claim 5 10 (claim 16), owing to the clearance between the dead point and the holding position, the packing of the ink supply port can be reliably brought into close contact with the ink supply needle to improve the air tightness. Further ink can flow in between the pecking end the ink supply needle during the removal to reduce 15 the friction, so that the ink cartridge can be. surely taken out only by the stored force of the resiliently urging means. ; According to the present invention as claimed in claim 7 itis unnecessary to dispose, on the ink cartridge side, a movable member for fixing the ink cartridge to the carriage, and further 20 the arrangement can be realized simply by forming protruded and recessed portions on the wall surface. Therefore, the structure i and the package can be simplified..

According to the present invention as claimed. in any one of claims 12 to 15, the region as close to the ink supply port 25 as possible can be used as a holding region of the ink cartridge, - 6 -

and therefore it is possible to eliminate the displacement of the ink cartridge caused by an external force, and to reduce an adverse effect on the j oint portion between the ink supply port and the ink supply needle.

5 The present disclosure relates to the sub j ect matter contained

in Japanese patent applications having No. 2002-175691 (filed on June 17, 2002) / and a not-yet-Xnown number (filed on June 13, 2003), which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of a cartridge accommodation horder of acarriagewhichisa component 15 of the inkjet recording apparatus of the invention. -

Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a fixinOprotrusion, Fig.3Bisaperspectiveviewshowingamounting -

state of the f icing protrusion at a front side on a vertical wall in:. the holder, and Fig. 3C is a perspective view showing 20 the mounting state of the fixing protrusion at a rear side on the vertical wall in the holder.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ink cartridge adapted for the recording apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view oftheink cartridge, taken 25 through the ink supply port. and inwhichthe cartridge is mounted - 7 -

( on the carriage.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a fixing member formed in the ink cartridge.

Figs. 7I and 7II are views illustrating the former half 5 of steps performed when the ink cartridge is mounted.

Figs. 8I and II are views illustrating the latter half of the steps performed when the ink cartridge is mounted.

Figs. 9I and 9II are views illustrating steps for taking out the ink cartridge.

lo Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the ink cartridge to which the invention can be applied.. -Fig. 11 is a view showing an embodiment of a cartridge holder adapted for the ink cartridge..

15 Fig. 12 is a perspective view in which another embodiment oftherecordingapparatusoftheinuentionisshownbythestructure of a cartridge accommodation region.

Figs. 13A and 13B are perspective views, each showing another embodiment of the ink cartridge of the invention.

20 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRE=ED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is hereinafter described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments..

Fig 1 shows an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention. A case is made up of a case body 1 25 and a cover 2. A carriage 4 is accommodated in the case to be - 8 -

opposed to a platen 3 and to be reciprocatingly movable. Two kinds of ink cartridges 5 and having different widths are detachably mounted on the top surface of the carriage 4.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the carriage 4. In this 5 embodiment, inkjet recording heads 7 and 8 that receive supply of inks from ink cartridges 5 and 6, respectively, are disposed on the bottom surface of the carriage 4. Vertical walls ll form a boxlike enclosure on the upper surface of the carriage 4 to accommodate theink cartridges5and6 such that their top surfaces 10 are exposed. In this way, a cartridge holder 9 is integrally formed.. The cartridge holder g is partitioned by a rib 10 into two sections to accommodate the two kinds of ink cartridges and 6 in given regions. Windows llc and lid for forming fixing 15. membersarerespectively formed et substantially central portions of the vertical walls lla and llb that respectively define the regions for accommodating the cartridges. Fixing protrusions 12a and 13a of f icing members 12 and 13 as described later protrude through the windows lie and lid into the.side of the cartridge 20 accommodation regions.

The windows llc and lid are formed as arc-shaped through holes which limit the movement of the fixing. protrusions 12a and 13a to a certain angular range L. Mounting holes lie and llf are formed on the centerlines of the windows lie and lid 25 and under these windows llc and lid.

_ 9 _

These window llc, lid and fixing member 12, 13 together form a one-push type fixing member.

Fig. 3A shows an embodiment of the fixing member 12, 13.

In this embodiment, the fixing members 12 and 13 are shaped 5 identically. The fixing members 12 (13) has an arm 12b (13b).

The fixing protrusion 12a (13a) that is longer than the thickness of the vertical wall lla (lib) but does Lot hinder insertion of the cartridge is formed at one end of the arm 12b (lab) perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the arm 12b 10 (13bJ. A mounting portion 12c (13c) that is rotatably inserted into the mounting hole lie (llf) is forded at the other end in the same direction as the fixing protrusion 12a (13a). A tapering portion12d mad) for preventing disconnection and a split groove 12e (13e) are formed at the front end of the mounting portion 15 lc (13c). The arm 12b (lab) is so designed that the position of the fixing protrusion 12a t13a) is displaceable in a direction intersecting a surface direction of a fixing member 30 described later in conformity with recessed and protruded portions of the fixing member 30, and that the arm 12b (13b) has such an elasticity 20 as to cause the fixing protrusion 12a (13a) to contact the fixing member 30 with a given contact force. This ensures reliable contact between the fixing protrusion 12a (13a) and the fixing member 30, to thereby eliminate failure of fixing the ink cartridge caused due to insuf ficient contact 25 Because of this structure, when the fixing protrusion 12a - 10

(13a) of the fixing member 12 (13) is inserted into the window lie (lid) and the tapering portion 12d (lad) of the mounting portion 12c (13c) is forced into the mounting hole lie (llf), the mounting portion is permitted by the split groove 12e (13e) 5 to be deformed and then rotatably fitted in the mounting hole lie (llf).

Figs. 4A and 4B show embodiments of the ink cartridges 5 and 6 of the invention. Namely, Fig. 4A show the ink cartridge which contains one kind of ink, black ink in this embodiment, 10 andFig. 4Bshowstheinkcartridgewhich is forced with aplurality of separate ink storage chambers by partition walls or the like and which.contains different kinds of inks, yellow, magenta and cyan in this embodiment, in respective ink storage chambers, each having an independent ink supply port.

15!. Here, only oneink cartridge 5 is described. A fixing member 30 that guides and engages the aforementioned fixing protrusion 12a is formed in one wall surface 21 parallel to the direction of insertion of a.container 20 that contains ink therein.

Anotherwallsurface29thatisperpendiculartothedirection 20 of insertion is provided winch an ink supply port 22 that engages an ink supply needle 14 of the carriage to discharge the ink inside the cartridge therefrom...

In this ink cartridge, the fixing member 30 is disposed at a position offset toward the surface (the bottom surface) 25 29 where the ink supply port 22 is formed, i.e. at a lower portion - 11 -

resign in the insertion direction of the ink cartridge in this embodiment, and further the ink supply port 22 is disposed at a position offset toward the wall surface (the side surface) 21 (i. e, at the right side in the figure). Consequently, the 5 fixing member 30 can surely fix a portion of the ink cartridge in the vicinity of the ink supply port 22. This arrangement can prevent the displacement of the ink cartridge even when an external force is applied in a state in which the ink supply needle 14 is inserted into the ink supply port 22, to thereby 10 reduce an adverse affect on the connection portion between the ink supply port 22 and the ink supply needle 14. That is, since the ink supply port 22 is located at the position offset toward the wall surface 21 where the fixing member is formed, the fixing member 30 can receive the external force to reliably provide 15 the above-noted advantageous effect.

As shown in Fig. 5, a packing 26 and a valve body 23 are.

loaded in the ink supply port 22 in such a way that the valve body 23 is biased by a spring 24 which is a coiled spring. The packing 26 serves as a sealing member, which closely and sealingly 20 contacts the circumference of the ink supply needle 14. The valve body 23 contacts one end face of the packing 26 to close and seal an opening formed through the packing 26 when the cartridge is removed from the carriage, and opens the ink supply port by insertion of the irk supply needle 14 when the ink cartridge 25 is mounted on the carriage The extent of resilience of the spring - 12 -

24 is such that even when the ink cartridge 5 is fully fill ed with ink and the ink supply port 22 engages the ink supply needle 14, the spring can bias the cartridge 5 in the direction opposite to the direction of insertion against the frictional force caused 5 between the ink supply needle 14 and the packing 26.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the spring 24, provided in the ink supply port 17, for biasing the valve body 23 in the direction to close the valve body 23 is used to bias the ink cartridge in the direction opposite to the direction in which 10 the cartridge S is inserted. In a case where the repulsion force of the spring 24 is small or the cartridge does not have the valve body 23 biased by the spring 24, the same advantages can be obtained by mounting a biasing spring 25 near the ink supply port 22 and in the front-end surface as viewed in the direction 15 of insertion of the ink cartridge (i.e., the surface in which the ink supply.22 is formed) or in the surface of the carriage that faces the ink supply port 22.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the fixing member.30 formed On the ink cartridge, which constitutes the one-push type fixing 20 member, A recess portion 31 having an entrance port of width W capable of almost covering the range of movement Lof the fixing protrusion 12ais formed at the front end asviewedin the direction in which the cartridge is loaded (in this embodiment, in a lower portion). A guide portion 32 having an upper portion on one side 25 is formed in the center of the recess portion 31 as viewed in - 13

the direction of insertion of the cartridge. h protruded portion 32a is formed in the center of the guide portion 32 such that passages through which the protrusion 12a can pass are formed on both sides of the protruded portion 32a.

5 In a lower portion s ide ( the let t side in the f igure) relative to the protruded portion 32a, there are formed a vertical wall 32b over which the protrusion 12a cannot pass during the movement of the ink cartridge in the insertion direction, and an inclined surface 32c, above the vertical wall 32b, over which the protrusion 10 12a can easily pass during the movement of the nk cartridge in the removal direction.

In the other side, i,e. an upper portion side (the right side in the figure) relative to the protruded portion 32a, there are formed an inclined surface 32d otter which the protrusion 15 12a can easily pass during the movement of the ink cartridge in.the insertion direction, and a vertical wall 32e, above the inclined surface 32d, over which the protrusion 12a cannot pass during the movement of the ink eax.tridgein the removal direction.

This arrangement of the inclined surface 32d and the vertical 20 wall 32e in the upper portion side is reverse to the arrangement of the vertical wall 32b and the inclined surface 32c in the lowerportionside. The protrusion12a enters through theinclined surface 32d, and exits through the inclined surface 32c.

An angular vertical wall 33a, whose vertex 33 is located 25 slightly offset from the centerline C of the recess portion 31 - 14 -

toward the inclined surface 32d, is formed in a deeper portion of the recess portion 31 relative to the entrance side of the protrusion 12a. A vertical wall 32g obliquely upwardly extends substantially from the centerline C of the protruded portion 5 32a toward the exist side (the left side in the figure) to provide a holding portion 34 made up of a vshaped recess portion for engagement with the protrusion 12a.

This holding portion 34 is disposed at a center in the width direction of the cartridge, or on a plane which passes 10 through a central axis of the ink supply port and which is perpendicular to the wall surface, so that the holding portion 34 in cooperation with the protrusion 12a can reliably fix the ink cartridge 5 at a predetermined position, while causing no moment on the ink supply needle 14.

15 Indicated by numeral 35 in the figure is. a movement directionrestricting member disposed.closer. to: the inclined surface 32c than to the holding portion 34. This restricting member 35 has an inclined surface 35a over which the protrusion 12a can easilypass and avertical wall 35b over which the protrusion 20 12a cannot easily pass.

In this embodiment, when the ink cartridge 5 is inserted, the fixing protrusion 12a enters the opening of the recess portion 31 of the fixing member 30 and reaches the inc. ined surface 32d while being guided by the guide portion 32 (the vertical wall 25 32b) in one direction (Fig. 7I). Then, the fixing protrusion -

12a passes over this inclined surface 32d (Fig. 7II).

Under this condition, when the cartridge 5 is further pushed-in against the elastic force of the spring 24 of the ink supply port, the ink cartridge S reaches dead point at which 5 the fixing protrusion 12a contacts the angular wall 33a located in the deeper portion of the recess portion 31 (Fig. 8I). Under this condition, if the hand is released from the ink Partridge S. the ink cartridge 5 is moved by a slight distance AG. in the direction opposite to the direction of insertion by the reaction 10 force of the spring 24 so that the fixing protrusion 12a is fitted into the holding portion 34, while being guided toward the t centerline C by the vertical wall 32e (Fig. 8II).

There is a slight clearance between the dead point at the pushing-in of the ink cartridge S into the cartridge holder and .... 15 a cartridge holding position. For this reason, when the ink cartridge is moved from the dead point at the pushing-in to the cartridge holding position, the packing 26 is moved in the contracting direction due to the friction to the ink supply needle 14, so that the packing 26 reliably contacts the circumference 20 of the ink supply needle 14 elastically, to thereby ensure air-tightness. In addition, such clearancecane determinedbythe diameter of the fixing protrusion 12a, the position of the holding portion 34, or the like. I 25 On the other hand, in a ease where the inkin theink cartridge - 16

has been consumed end the ink cartridge 5 isreplacet,the cartridge 5 is pushed-in against the reaction force of the spring 24. The fixing protrusion 12a passes over the inclined surface 35a of the movementrestricting member 35, while being guided by the angular wall 33a located in the deeper portion of the recess portion 31(Fig. 9I). The amount of the movement during this pushing-in corresponds to the aforementioned slight clearance between the dead point at the pushing-in end the cartridge holding position. By this movement, the packing 26 is relatively moved 10 with respect to the ink supply needle 14 so that ink flows in therebetween. The ink serves as lubricant to reduce the friction t during the removal.

Under this condition, if the hand is released from the cartridge 5, the reaction force of the spring 24 elevates.the 15 cartridge 5. Duringthisprocess, the fixing protrusion12a passes over the inclined surface 32c to be free from the restriction : (Fig, II).

When a new cartridge 5 is loaded into.a given position.

and then pushed-in, the ink cartridge can befixed into a 2 0 predetermined position in the same way as the foregoing, In the embodiment described above, a recording apparatus of the type where the cartridge holder is mounted to the carriage has been described. It is apparent that similar advantages can be producedhen the invention is applied toe type oftherecording 25 apparatus in which the cartridge is installed on the case body

( 1 forming the recording apparatus and ink is supplied to the recording head by the use of an ink supply tube.

That is, in a ease of an ink cartridge95in which a flexible bag 41 containing ink therein and having an ink supply port 40 5 on one side thereof is accommodated in a hard case 99 made up of a case body 42 and a cover 43 in such a way that the ink supply port 40 is exposed, the aforementioned ore-push type fixing member 30 is formed on a side surface of the hard case 44 such that the front side as viewed in the direction of insertion becomes 10 an opening portion.

On the other hand, the other one-push type fixing member is formed such that the fixing protrusion 12a is protruded from the rotational range limiting window 47 at the side of the ink cartridge accommodating holder 46 to be opposed to the fixing 15 member 30, A resilient member 48 is disposed on the side of an ink supply needle 49. In this way, the cartridge 45 can be fixed into a predetermined position simply by pushing it in.

When the ink cartridge 45 is removed, the ink cartridge 45 is pushed in against the resilient member 98..In this way, the ink 20 cartridge 45 can be taken out, This embodiment can also employ, in place of the resilient member 4G, a valve arrangement having the valve body 23 installed in the ink supply port 22 and the spring 24 for biasing the valve body 21 toward theink supply port side es discussed with reference 25 to Fig. S. in order to produce the same effect using the elastic - 18

force of the spring for biasing the valve body.

In the embodiment described above, a one-push Thorpe fixing member for receiving a fixing protrusion and another one-push type fixing meter having the fixing protrusion are formed on 5 the ink cartridge and cartridge holder, respectively. It is apparent that, the same advantages can be obtained when one-push type fixing member 30 for receiving the fixing protrusion is arranged on the cartridge holder 9 and another onepush type fixing member having the fixing protrusion 12a, 13a is arranged 10 on the ink cartridge 5, 6 as shown in Figs. 12 and 13.

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Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An inkjet recording apparatus having a recording head that receives supply of ink from an ink cartridge installed in a cartridge accommodation region, the ink cartridge having a 5 first member constituting a one-push type fixing member formed on the ink cartridge, theinkjet recording apparatus comprising: a second member that constitutes another one-push type fixing Member cooperating with the first member, and that is formedin a position facing a plane that is substantiallyparallel 10 to an insertion direction in which the ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge accommodation region, whereby theink cartridge is held in a predetermined position in a state in which the ink cartridge is resiliently urged by resiliently urging means in a direction opposite to the insertion direction-...

152. The inkjet recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first member constituting the one-push type fixing member includes one of:..

a. protrusion whose range of motion is restricted, 2 0and a combinationof a guide path for guidingtheprotrusion in one direction, and a holding portion engaging the protrusion, and wherein the second member includes the other of: 25the combination of the guide path for guiding the -

protrusioninonedirection, andthcholclinggortionengaging the protrusion, and the protrusion whose range of notion is restricted.

3. The inkjet recording apparatus as set forth in claim 5 1, wherein the resiliently urging means includes a spring that biases a valve body loaded in an ink supply port.

4. The inkj et recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the resiliently urging means includes a spring disposed in the ink cartridge accommodation region or a spring disposed 10 on an outer surface of a container of the ink cartridge.

5. The inkj et recording apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein a position of the holding portion or a diameter of the protrusion is selected to define a clearance between a dead point at pushing-in of the ink cartridge and the predetermined 15 position. 6 An ink cartridge having an ink storing portion.storng ink therein and an ink supply port communicating with the ink storing portion, the ink cartridge being adapted to removably mounted on a cartridge mounting portion of a recording apparatus 20 to supply the ink in the ink storing portion aria the ink supply port to a recording head provided on the recording apparatus, the ink cartridge comprising: a first member that constitutes a one-push type fixing member, that is formed on a plane substantially parallel to an 25 insertion direction in which the ink cartridge is inserted into - 21 -

the cartridge mounting portion, and that cooperates with a second member constituting another one-push type fixing member of the recording apparatus.

7. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 6, wherein the 5 second member includes a protrusion whose range of motion is restricted, and the first member includes a combination of a guide path for guiding the protrusion in one direction, and a holding portion engaging the protrusion.

8. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 6, wherein 10 the second member includes a combination of a guide path for guiding a protrusion in one direction, and a holding portion engaging the protrusion, and the first member includes the protrusion whose range of motion is restricted and which is engageable with the second member..

15 9.Theinkcartridgeassetforthinclaim6,furthercomprising resiliently urging means for resiliently urging theink cartridge in a direction opposite to the insertion direction.

. 10. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 9, wherein the resiliently urging means includes a spring that biases a valve 20 member loaded in the ink supply port.

11. The ink cartridge set forth in claim 9, wherein the resiliently urging means includes a spring mounted on a container wall surface of the ink cartridge.

12. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 6, wherein 25 the first member is disposed on a wall surface intersecting a - 22

wall surface on which the ink supply port is disposed, and located at a position offset toward the wall surface on which the ink supply port is disposed.

13. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 12, wherein 5 the ink supply port is located at a position offset toward the wall surface on which the first member is disposed.

14. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 7 or 8, wherein the protrusion whose range of motion is restricted is movable in a plane direction of the plane substantially parallel to the 10 insertion direction, and also movable in a direction intersecting the plane.

15. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 7, wherein the holding portion of the first member is resiliently held by the protrusion by an urging force of resiliently urging means.

15 16. The inkcartridge as set forth in claim 7,.wherein.

a position of the holding portion or a diameter of the protrusion is selected to define a clearance between a deed point at pushing-in of.the ink cartridge and the predetermined position.

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